THE LABOR MARKET.

Evening Star, Issue 4113, 3 May 1876, Page 4

THE LABOR MARKET.

To the Editor.

Siß, —When the streets of Dunedin are crowded with unemployed workmen of all many of whom have been in the Colony for years, and know what Colonial experience is, one would naturally inquire : Is the Great Britain of the South dwindling into a laud of poverty and sham aristocracy, is it impossible that all this crowd can be the lazy loating outcast, so often commented on through the daily papers, notably the * Times.’ The working classes of Otago are disgusted with this humbug, which is daily trumpted through the Press by a class of pig-headed individuals, who are continually granting in the mire and making imputations they cannot prove. We can excuse them as they are a century behind in education and politics. There is also a more detestable class of sham champions of the public’s interest, who are continually pouncing on the defenceless, and like a bullying coward, exclaim, “I’ve caught a villian.” We have had enough of this effeminate cant, which is only detrimental to the interests of the Colony and used in support of genteel loafers. That there is a large number of workmen throughout the Colony unemployed. It cannot be denied, and that they are hardworking respectable workmen, who have helped to make the Colony, no one dare compute. Weare about to ask Government what they are willing to do towards providing employment, if we can get no satisfaction from head-quarters, we have another scheme in view. I hope the workmen in Dunedin will bestir themselves, and show that they are not Polynesians or Celestials, but British subjects —1 am, &c., A Workman. Dunedin, May 2.

To the Editor. Sir,—lf it be true, as the ‘ Daily Times ’ ■ays, that in the coming winter there will be an amount of distress, consequent on the scarcity of work, such as we have never before experienced, it may be as well to find out who is chiefiy responsible for the overcrowded state of the labor market. Of course, we have been told by that great authority— the * Daily Times '—that the Colonial Government must be held responsibl j, because it has been rushing immigiauts in upon us, notwithstanding the remonstrances •f the ‘ Times,’ these remonstrances actually extending as far back as February last. But if you will turn up a copy of the ‘ Times ’ of 23rd December last, you will there find, in its Home correspondent’s letter, what ought to help in putting the “ saddle on the right horse, ” He (the correspondent) says that Otago having received her full complement of free immigrants, the ogcnt-General declined to

send any more unless specially directed by Government. At this juncture Mr James Macandrew comes to tue rescue and telegraphs to the Home agents to continue sending out immigrants at the expense of the Province; and, adds their correspondent, “ as the result of that telegram a shipment will leave in December.” It would be instructive to know how many immigrants we have received during the last four mouths at the expense of, or sent out by the instructions of, the Provincial Government. And besides, has the Province not a special agent at Home at present, doing his best to rush them in on us? Where, then, is the justice of the howl against the Colonial Government? —Yours, etc.,

J. Hunt Watson. Dunedin, May 2,